Belt connector



Aug. 5,* 1952 l R. s. I LEWELLYN 2,605,523

' BELT CONNECTOR Filed @bf-1945 Y 2 sl-IEETsf-SHEET 1 Aug. 5, 1952 R. s. LLEwl-:LLYN

BELT CONNECTOR Filed Feb. 5, 1945 z'sHEETs-SHEET 2 n .6'. I /9/4a, Z2 25 sa. 8b 6a' 7a' Qa' 6. y 25 26 9L z5 /28/24. m/27 @Ja- @gaa Patented Aug. 5, 1952 BELT CONNECTOR Rossiter S. Llewellyn, Glen Ellyn, Ill., assignor to` Armstrong-Bray & Co., Chicago, Ill., a corpo-v ration of Illinois Application February 3, 1945, Serial No. 576,077

'7 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in belt connectors, and has particular reference toa new and improved connector for split V-belts.

One of theobjects of the present invention is to provide av novel V-belt connector which will permit the advantageous use of split V-beltshaving separable ends, as distinguished from similar belts of the continuous type, thereby facilitating assembly about the driving and driven elements in positions that are inaccessible or not con# veniently accessible. l

Another object is to provide a new and improved V-belt connector which is selectively adjustable'to .effect alterations in the length of the belt, and thereby to permit the correct use of belts that are off-size and the equalization of the belts in a multiple-belt drive so that each belt will carry its proportionate load.

A further object is to provide a novel V-belt connector which does not objectionably impair the flexibility of the belt, and does not interfere with the frictional engagement of the sides of the belt with the driving and driven elements.

Another object is to provide a new and improved V-belt connector which is sturdy in construction, and convenient to assemble, thereby avoiding long shut-down periods to effect repairs in the event of belt breakage.

A further object is to provide a novel V-belt connector which permits belt repair, and the salvagngof broken belts to form belts of shorter standard lengths, vthereby reducing belt cost.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings, y

Figure lis a fragmentary perspective view of a split V-belt having a connector embodying the features of my invention.y

Fig. 2 isA a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the belt takenjthrough the connector in a medial plane betweenthe opposite sides thereof.

line'3-3 of Fig. 2. l

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the various elements of the connector in exploded relationship.

Fig. 5'is a view similar to Fig. 2, but illustrating a modified form of the conductor.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 6--5 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an anchor member forming part of the modiiied connector.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view illustrating the method of assembling the connector of Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig.' 9 is an enlarged view similar to Fig. 2 of a second modified form of connector.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along line III- I0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. l1 is a transverse sectional view taken along line II--II of Fig. 9.

`Referring more particularly to the drawings, the belt connector constituting one exemplary embodiment of the invention is especially adapted for, and hence is shown in connection with, a conventional V-belt I. The belt is tapered in cross section having an outer relatively wide face l2, an inner relatively narrow face 3, and opposite inclined friction surfaces 4 and 5 adapted for driving engagement with the driving and driven elements (not shown). The conventional V-belt is ordinarily continuous in form and provided in various. stock lengths. In the present instance, the belt I, instead of being continuous, is split to provide ends 6 and 'I adapted in use to be joined together by the connector forming the subject matter of the present invention. It will be understood that the belt I may be made ofrany suitable material, such for example as rubber composition, rubber impregnated fabric, or leather.

Generally'stated, Vthe belt connector comprises component elements 8 and 8a secured in and projecting from longitudinal h'o'ies or bores 9 formed respectively in thepopposed ends 6 and 1 of the belt I,and adapted to be flexibly and separably coupled at sult, the belt connector does not interfere with the friction grip of the side surfaces 4 and 5 with, the driving and -driven elements over which the belt is mounted. y

The coupling elements Band. 8fL preferably consist of two cylindrical plugs which are partially y inserted, with a snug t, respectively in the outer ends of thebores 9, and are adjustably anchored therein to withstand the pull of thebelt I. Thev outerr ends of the plugs 8 and 8a arevpivotally articulated to provide a iiexible joint. In the Y present instance, the outer end oftheplug 8` is Ag. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along bifurcated to provide spaced parallel lugs ID, and

the plug Iia isformed with a single lug II fittingv between the lugs IIJ. A pivot pin I2 is removably inserted diametrically through the lugs II) and II to complete the joint. f

The means for anchoring the elements 8 and 8a respectively in the two bores 9 are alike, and hence a description of the means associated with the belt end 6 will suffice for both, the corresponding means associated with the belt end I being identified by the same reference numerals. In the form of connecter illustrated in Figs. l to 4, an anchor bolt or screw I3 having a head I4 is inserted into the bore 9 in the belt end 6.

their outer projecting ends. As a rey Preferably, the head I4 is slightly larger in diameter than the bore 9 so that when the bolt is forcibly inserted, with the threaded shank projecting outwardly, the head will have a. snug t and will be held against rota-tion. The threaded shank of the `bolt is considerably smaller in diameter than the bore 9, and extends therethrough in peripherally spaced relation so that the bolt may tilt or swivel therein.

To anchor the bolt I3 within the inner end of the bore 9 with suicient strength to resist the belt tension, the head I4 is engaged by a doublepronged staple, indicated generally at I5. More particularly, the staple I5 comprisesan elongated narrow head or plate I S formed at opposite ends respectively with two pairs or sets of spaced parallel pointed side prongs I1 and I8. IThe staple I5 is inserted through the belt I, with the plate I6 positioned medially against the inner face 3, and with the prongs Il and I8 pro jecting through to the outer face 2.A Preferably, a flat rectangular clamping plate I9, having suitably spaced apertures 2D at the four corners to receive the outer projecting ends of the prongs IT'and'IS, is positioned against the outer face 2 of the belt I, and the .ends of the prongs are clinched over the plate to secure the staple I 5 in position. apart a distance somewhat Yless than the diameter of the bore 9, and the staple I5 is located longitudinally of the belt I so that the/one set of prongs I8 will project through opposite sides of the bore in position to engage the under face of the bbolt head I4. Consequently, the staple I5 provides a positive anchor which serves to preventV the bolt I3 from pulling o ut of the bore 9` when thebelt I is placed under driving tension.

The shank of the bolt I3 is adjustably threaded into an axial threaded bore 2I in the inner end of the vassociated coupling element or plug 8. i

The belt connecter permits the use of V-belts which are not of the solid continuous type, but which are split'and adapted to be connected at the ends when in use. 'I'he installation `of V- belts ofthe continuous type is often difficult, and sometimes requires vdisassembly Aof the machine parts. The present belt with theseparable connecter avoids Ythis objection. It can bev separated by removing the pin I2, then positioned about the drivingand driven elements, and then re-V connected by again inserting the-pin. Unwarranted` removal of the pinV I2- :may be guarded against by slightly riveting or upsetting the ends.

Continuous type belts are customarily `pro vided ,in various stock sizes, but theY lengths in a given lot'are not always exactly uniform. The

The prongs vof each` set areA spaced present` belt connecter beingadjustable'by turning the'co'uplingrelements 23` and 8a on the bolts I3, permits convenient andaccurate adjustment of the length`of the belt,` as for example where the belt is slightly olf-size.

advantageous in a multiple Vbelt drive,'wherein eachbelt'shouldV assume its proportionate sharey of the load.

"In case of belt breakage, the connecter permits Aquick and convenient'repair so that rela-- tively long periods of machine shut-down can be avoided. Also, belt cost is reduced since broken belts, even though somewhat shortened, can be repaired for use in installations where shorter belts are required. The belt 4material can be purchased in long strips or rolls, and sections to the'desired length can be cut therefrom as required, thereby avoiding the necessity of keeping a large number of premade belts of the different stock sizes on hand or This is particularly belt Ia are formed with longitudinal bores 9a.

Bolts I3a, with heads Illa, are inserted respectively in the bores 9a and project outwardly. Anchor elements or plugs 8b and 8c are threaded ontonthe outer ends of the Shanks of the bolts I3B within the bores 922 and the projecting ends have intertting lugs IIIa and IIa pivotally connected by a pin or rivet |211. To this extent, the connector is the same as that shown in Figs. 1 to 4.

The modified form of connector employs different means for anchoring the heads lIla of the bolts I y3a in the bores-9.a. InA this form, the anchoringV means in each instance comprises a sleeve 22 which is disposed on the shank of the bolt I3a in position against the under face of the head I lia, and the outer endfof which is longitudinally slit to define a plurality of annularlylarranged prongs 23, preferably pointed at their ends.

In the assembly operation, an expander tool 24 is employed. The tool comprises an internally threaded tubular sleeve 25 which is inserted into the bore. 9a and threaded'onto the projecting shank of the bolt I3a. The inner end of the sleeve 25 is formed with a conical Vface 26 adapted to to engage the pointed ends of the prongs 23 and to spread the latter-radially into the matrix of the surrounding wall ofthe bore 9a. The sleeve 25 is provided atthe other end with an operating handle 21, and intermediate its ends with a stop collar 28 adapted for engagement. with theend 6a of the belt IEL at the limit of inwardmovement. When the co11ar28 is located against the end -63 of the belt, further rotation of the tool 24 lservesto ,pull the bolt-I3a outwardlyand to force the prongs. 23 intothe material. .The prongs 23 when spread serve to constrain the anchor sleeve 22 againstoutward movement, and therebyA to confine the headv Illa of the bolt I3@ in position'A against the belt tension. Y

In the third form, illustrated in Figs. 9, 10 and l1, the belt connector'comprises both a staple Ib and an anchor sleeve 221 for anchoring each of the bolts |31 in the respective bores 9 opening to the ends 6b and 'Ib of the belt I b. Preferably, the outer ends of the bores 91? areY formed with counterbores 29 to receive the coupling elements Sd and 8B. Referring to the belt end 6b, the sleeve 221 is disposed against the bolt head |41. and the prongs 231 are .flared outwardly into the material toward the side surfaces 41 and 5b. The forward prongs ISb of the staple |51) are inserted through the belt I1D in position forwardly to engage the flared ends of the prongs 23,1D -so as to impart an added resistance to the'outward pull on the bolt |31. In the present instance,- the prongs I'Ib at the other end of the staple |51 are sharpened on their inner sides, as indicated at 30, and are spread apart so that in penetrating the belt they will be spread out of line with the prongs |811, andthe rear set of apertures 201 in the clamping plate I91 is correspondingly spaced apart Ymore than the ,forward set.

The coupling element 8d has vspaced lugs-|01 supporting a connecting pin I21, but the intermediaterr'lug Hb on the coupling member 8e, instead'fof being apertured as in the preceding ferries-@is provided with a hook -3l adaptedl tovb'e r'elsa'bly engaged about the pin, This permits the pin'fflZbvtol be iixed permanently in position. Preferably# the lugV H11-with the'hook 31 is'of larger transverse section from the axis of the coupling element Se toward the'inner belt faceb than it is toward the outer belt face so as toprovide a comparatively heavy construction and still prevent the hook from projecting outwardly b'yn'd ithenface 2b when thefconnector is'flexed in passingover the sheaiu-jgs.r if 'jlgclairnV asmyinvention:` f

"lgA belt connecter for therends of a split V- beltgoomprising, in combination, two screw bolts inserted respectively inl longitudinal bores formed irland opening to the'gopposed ends ofthebelt, saidbolts'having enlarged heads at their'inner ends andoutwardly projecting shanks, 'two coupling elements inserted in and projecting outwardly from the outer ends of said bores and being threaded respectively on said Shanks, a flexible joint connecting the outer ends of said coupling elements, and staples extending respecv.

tively through the belt ends, each `staple having spaced prongs extending through Vopposite sides of the associated bore outwardly of the associated bolt head and acting to restrain the head against outward movement.

2. A belt connecter for the ends of a split V-belt comprising, in combination, two screw bolts inserted respectively in longitudinal bores formed in and opening to the opposed ends of the belt,

. said bolts having enlarged heads at their inner ends. and outwardly projecting Shanks, two coupling elements inserted in and projecting outwardly from the outer ends of said bores and being threaded respectively on said Shanks, a flexible joint connecting the outer ends of said coupling elements, and two staples for anchoring said screw bolts respectively within said bores, each staple having two sets of spaced prongs extending transversely through the associated belt end from the inner face Vto the outer face and entirely between the friction sides, the forward set of prongs extending through opposite sides of the associated bore in position to engage the underside of the associated bolt head..

3. A belt connecter for the ends or a split V-belt comprising, in combination, two screw bolts inserted respectively in longitudinal bores formed in and opening to the opposed ends of the belt, said bolts having enlarged heads'at their inner ends and outwardly projecting shanks, two coupling elements inserted in and projecting outwardly from the outer ends of said bores and being threaded respectively on said shanlrs, a flexible joint connecting the cuter ends of said coupling elements, two staples for anchoring said screw bolts respectively within said bores, each staple having two sets of spaced prongs extending transversely through the associated belt end from the inner face to the outer face and entirely between the friction sides, the forward set of prongs extending through opposite sides of the associated bore in position to engage the underside of thelassociated bolt head, and a clamp-ing plate located against the outer face of each belt end and having apertures to receive the projecting endsof the associated prongs, said prongs being bent over against said plate.

y4. A belt connecter for the ends of a split V-belt comprising, in combination, two screw bolts inserted respectively in longitudinal bores their formed in and opening to the opposed ends of the belt, said bolts having. enlarged headsA at their inner ends andy :outwardly projecting shanks, two coupling projecting outwardly said bores'and beingthreaded respectively on said shanks, a nexible joint connecting the outer ends of said coupling elements, and two anchor sleeves disposed respectively onsaid bolt shanks against said heads within saidbor-es, the outer end of each sleeve being formed with peripherally spaced prongs Spread outwardly at their free ends into the peripheral wall of the associated bore;

5; A'belt connecter for the "ends of Iajsplit V-beltk comprising, in combination, two .screw bolts inserted respectively in longitudinal. bores formed in and opening tonthet-opposedfends of the ibelt, said bolts having enlarged' heads" at their inner ends and outwardly projecting shanks, two f coupling elements inserted in fand projecting outwardly from the outer ends of said bores and being threaded respectively on said shanks, a iiexible` joint connecting the outer ends oi said coupling elements, two staples for anchoring said screw bolts respectively within said bores,

each staple having two sets of spaced prongs extending transversely through the associated belt end froml the inner face to the outer face and entirely between the friction sides, the forward set of prongs extending through opposite sides of the associated bore in position to engage the underside of the associated bolt head, the other set of prongs being sharpened on their inner faces and diverging from each other.

6. A belt connecter for the ends of a split V-belt comprising, in combination, two screw bolts inserted respectively in longitudinal bores formed in and opening to the opposed ends of the belt, said bolts having enlarged heads at their inner ends and outwardly projecting Shanks, two coupling elements inserted in and projecting outwardly from the `outer .ends of said bores and being threaded respectively on said shanks, a flexible joint connecting the outer ends of said coupling elements, two anchor sleeves disposed respectively on said bolt Shanks against said heads within said bores, the outer end of each sleeve being formed with peripherally spaced prongs spread outwardly at their free ends into the peripheral wall of the associated bore, and two staples extending through said belt ends, each staple having a set of spaced prongs extending through opposite sides of the associated bore and located for engagement by the spread ends of said nrst mentioned prongs.

7. A belt connecter for the ends of a split V-belt comprising, in combination, two screw bolts inserted respectively in longitudinal bores formed in and opening to the opposed ends of the belt, -said bolts having enlarged heads at inner ends and outwardly projecting Shanks, two coupling elements inserted in and projecting outwardly from the outer ends of said bores and being threaded respectively on said Shanks, a flexible joint connecting the outer ends of said coupling elements, two anchor sleeves disposed respectively on the bolt shanks against said heads within said bores, the outer end of each sleeve being formed with two side prongs adapted to be lared apart toward the sides of the belt into penetration with the surface of the associated bore, and two staples extending respectively through said beltends, each staple having a set of spaced prongs extending through elements inserted inY fand. from the-outer ends' ofl opposite sides of the associated -fbore from the inner face to the outer face and entirely between the friction sides of the belt and being REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 27,906 Howard Apr. 17, 1860 207,903 Sirois Sept, 10, 1878 391,695 Eastwood Oct. 23, 1888 691,885 Abney Jan. 28, 1902 943,168 Shuiebottom et al. Dec. v14, 1909 1,224,498 Petersen May 1, 1917 1,482,461 Diehl Feb. 5, 1924 Shutts Oct. .29, 1929 Number Number Name Date` Roderwald Aug. 30, 1932 Olsen Aug. 21, 1934 Amantea, June V4,1935 Olsen Mar. 15, 1938 Pollard Nov. 25, V1941 Sutton Aug. 24, 1943 Kuhn Jan. 23, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany Aug. 11, 1917 Switzerland Sept..1,v1923 Great Britain 1908 Germany Mar. 15,1892 Germany May 11, 1935 Switzerland Mar. 12, 1896 Great Britain June 20, 1923 Great Britain Sept. 18, 1941 France Nov. 30, 1928 (1st. Addition No.134,186)l 

